'Frankenstorm' fury: NY transit to remain shut for 4 days

'Frankenstorm' fury: NY transit to remain shut for 4 days

New York's flooded transit system could be out of service for four days after the superstorm 'Hurricane Sandy' slammed into the city, blocking major tunnels and subway stations, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials have said.

"There's no chance mass transit will be back in time," the New York Post quoted Mayor Bloomberg, as saying.

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Image: A service announcement explains transit systems closure at Penn Station in New York on SundayPhotographs: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

'Airlines won't resume flights until winds have died down'

According to the paper, most major bridges and tunnels are expected to remain closed or under speed restrictions through the morning, and airlines will not resume flights until winds have died down.

Officials also worry that the underground pump system designed to remove water could short-circuit, and it could take anywhere from 14 hours to four days to clear water from the tunnels, the paper said.

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Image: A man in snorkelling gear and his friend wade through the flooded streets of Brooklyn, New York, on MondayPhotographs: Reuters

5.3 million people affected

At least 13 deaths were blamed on the storm, which has forced United States President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney to cancel their campaign appearances at the election day.

The 'Frankenstorm' created much devastation after it smacked the big US cities of the Northeast corridor -- Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and knocked out power to at least 5.3 million people.

Image: Storm surf kicked up by the high winds from Hurricane Sandy break onto homes in Southampton, New YorkPhotographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters